I discovered that I was not alone in the
house. A small bird had flown through the propped-open front door
while I was unloading my luggage. How could I get it outside? Maybe
I could throw a towel over it and capture it. But every time I approached
the bird, it darted to another perch. The more I tried to help it, the
more terrified it became. It evaded my every effort to set it free.
Finally it flew to some nook I couldn't find, and I gave up and went to
bed.
Next morning I found the bird cowering in a
corner behind the refrigerator. It flew up and
we resumed our game of hide and seek. If only the bird could
understand that I was trying to help it! Eventually I propped open the
front door and shooed the bird into the front room. It landed in a sunny
spot on the carpet near the door. Suddenly it discovered the open door and
flew away to freedom.
Often we are trapped by bad choices,
bitter memories, stubborn weaknesses. God so much wants to give us back
our life and set us free. But we are as afraid of God as the bird was of
me. We avoid opening ourselves to God's word and his Spirit, and to the
ministry of others (as in small groups). Will we spend our remaining years
half living, or will we open our eyes and let God come close enough to set us
free?
Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 23:37; Deuteronomy
5:29; Matthew 11:28-30; Isaiah 1:18; Hebrews
10:25
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Copyright 2006 by G.B. Shelburne, III. May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included. These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (www.nbchurch.com), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org), and to other interested persons.
Any scripture quotes, unless otherwise indicated, are from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION © 1978 and 1984 by the New York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
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Nuggets 1: "Open Our Eyes, Lord"